What Is a Camera Assistant?

What is a camera assistant? The camera assistant sets up equipment and operates the clapper board Australia has a long and proud tradition of great The DOP selects his or her team very carefully, on the basis of skill and work ethic. Most major films have one, perhaps cinematographers working both in Australia and two camera operators, who physically handle the camera internationally, including Academy Award® winners during each shot, while the director of photography has the John Seale (The English Patient), Dean Semler overall view, usually on a video monitor. Each camera has a focus puller whose primary responsibility is to maintain (Dances with Wolves) and Andrew Lesnie (The Lord a sharp image of the subject or action being filmed. This of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring). Most may involve changing the focus as an actor moves from place to place within a shot. of these talented cinematographers started their career as a camera assistant and worked their way The camera team includes the camera assistant, a video split operator and a data wrangler. During the final week up through the ranks of the camera department. before shoot the team conduct technical and creative tests. Technical tests are carried out on the camera, lenses and Like all other departments on a film, the camera department filters to ensure everything is working. The creative work has a hierarchy. The director of photography, usually referred can involve makeup and costume tests with the cast, and to as the cinematographer, is head of this department. also tests of any in-camera effects planned for the film. They work collaboratively with the director and production The camera crew needs to pack and ready the camera truck designer to devise and maintain the “look” of the film. for the shoot and purchase any expendables required, such The lighting department and the grips work under the as tapes, gels or reflectors. direction of the director of photography. The DOP works closely with other departments as well, especially the visual During the shoot, the duties of each team member are effects department if the film contains a high proportion of very clearly defined so that the workflow is as smooth and computer generated imagery. The DOP is employed for most accurate as possible. of pre-production to work with the director. Additional casual camera crew may be required for some scenes, such as stunts, large crowds, action scenes or when specialist camera crew are needed to meet the demands of the script, such as underwater photography or steadicam shots. The camera assistant has two main responsibilities. On top of all of this, it is expected that a decent assistant will First, they make sure the required camera equipment be able to anticipate a number of those demands before they is available for each shot and in peak working condition. become problems. Second, they mark each shot with a clapper board so that everyone concerned, and especially the editor, can easily Click here to view interview with camera assistant Jack Mayo locate any given set-up and take. Useful resources: When they are on set, some of their other duties • Ultimate Guide to a Camera Assistant’s Toolkit include keeping track of equipment, putting down • Creative Skillset: Camera Assistant marks for the actors to stand on so the camera can be focused appropriately, keeping camera notes and maintaining equipment. Marking shots with a clapper board makes them easy to locate Creative Content Australia is a not-for-profit organisation committed to raising awareness of the significance of copyright, the value of screen content and the impact that downloading and streaming pirated films and TV programs has on the creative industries: www.creativecontentaustralia.org.au Creative Content Australia develops and distributes free online education resources to schools throughout Australia to stimulate classroom discussion about copyright and promote the value of creative content and good digital citizenship online www.nothingbeatstherealthing.info.

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